Brexit: How Theresa May united cabinet and tamed top Brexiteers

Theresa May found vital backing for her new Brexit plan from Michael GoveJACK TAYLOR/GETTY IMAGES

Some were disgruntled at the spectre of Brexit compromise, others around the cabinet table at Chequers were snippy at their colleagues, while dumbfounded ministers watched Boris Johnson at dinner toast newfound collective responsibility around a deal that he did not like.

Few had expected Jeremy Hunt to be quite so apocalyptic. Giving his views on post-Brexit Britain’s future, the health secretary invoked Emperor Hirohito on the occasion of Japan’s surrender in World War II in 1945. Borrowing the words of the Japanese ruler, Mr Hunt told the room that there had “been significant developments” on Brexit since they last spoke which “had not necessarily gone to our advantage”. He then set out why, in the face of such adversity, he supported Theresa May’s compromise. Some…

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